8-2 Photosynthesis: An Overview 1 of 28
8-2 Photosynthesis: An Overview The key cellular process identified with energy production is photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process in which green plants use the energy of sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into high-energy carbohydrates and oxygen. 2 of 28
Investigating Photosynthesis What did the experiments of van Helmont, Priestley, and Ingenhousz reveal about how plants grow? 3 of 28
Investigating Photosynthesis Investigating Photosynthesis Research into photosynthesis began centuries ago. 4 of 28
Investigating Photosynthesis Van Helmont s Experiment In the 1600s, Jan van Helmont wanted to find out if plants grew by taking material out of the soil. He determined the mass of a pot of dry soil and a small seedling, planted the seedling in the pot, and watered it regularly. After five years, the seedling was a small tree and had gained 75 kg, but the soil s mass was almost unchanged. 5 of 28
Investigating Photosynthesis Van Helmont concluded that the gain in mass came from water because water was the only thing he had added. His experiment accounts for the hydrate, or water, portion of the carbohydrate produced by photosynthesis. But where does the carbon of the carbo- portion come from? 6 of 28
Investigating Photosynthesis Although van Helmont did not realize it, carbon dioxide in the air made a major contribution to the mass of his tree. In photosynthesis, the carbon in carbon dioxide is used to make sugars and other carbohydrates. Van Helmont had only part of the story, but he had made a major contribution to science. 7 of 28
Investigating Photosynthesis Priestley s Experiment More than 100 years after van Helmont s experiment, Joseph Priestley provided another insight into the process of photosynthesis. Priestley took a candle, placed a glass jar over it, and watched as the flame gradually died out. He reasoned that the flame needed something in the air to keep burning and when it was used up, the flame went out. That substance was oxygen. 8 of 28
Investigating Photosynthesis Priestley then placed a live sprig of mint under the jar and allowed a few days to pass. He found that the candle could be relighted and would remain lighted for a while. The mint plant had produced the substance required for burning. In other words, it had released oxygen. 9 of 28
Investigating Photosynthesis Jan Ingenhousz Later, Jan Ingenhousz showed that the effect observed by Priestley occurred only when the plant was exposed to light. The results of both Priestley s and Ingenhousz s experiments showed that light is necessary for plants to produce oxygen. 10 of 28
Investigating Photosynthesis The experiments performed by van Helmont, Priestley, and Ingenhousz led to work by other scientists who finally discovered that, in the presence of light, plants transform carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates, and they also release oxygen. 11 of 28
The Photosynthesis Equation What is the overall equation for photosynthesis? 12 of 28
The Photosynthesis Equation The Photosynthesis Equation The equation for photosynthesis is: Light 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 carbon dioxide + water Light sugars + oxygen 13 of 28
The Photosynthesis Equation Photosynthesis uses the energy of sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into high-energy sugars and oxygen. 14 of 28
Light energy The Photosynthesis Equation H 2 O Light-Dependent Reactions (thylakoids) O 2 ADP NADP + ATP NADPH Sugar Calvin Cycle (stroma) CO 2 + H 2 0 15 of 28
Light and Pigments What is the role of light and chlorophyll in photosynthesis? 16 of 28
Light and Pigments Light and Pigments How do plants capture the energy of sunlight? In addition to water and carbon dioxide, photosynthesis requires light and chlorophyll. 17 of 28
Light and Pigments Plants gather the sun's energy with light-absorbing molecules called pigments. The main pigment in plants is chlorophyll. There are two main types of chlorophyll: chlorophyll a chlorophyll b 18 of 28
Estimated Absorption (%) 8-2 Photosynthesis: An Overview Light and Pigments Chlorophyll absorbs light well in the blue-violet and red regions of the visible spectrum. 100 80 60 40 Chlorophyll b Chlorophyll a 20 0 400 450 Wavelength 500 550 600 (nm) 650 700 750 Wavelength (nm) 19 of 28
Estimated Absorption (%) 8-2 Photosynthesis: An Overview Light and Pigments Chlorophyll does not absorb light well in the green region of the spectrum. Green light is reflected by leaves, which is why plants look green. 100 80 60 40 20 Chlorophyll b Chlorophyll a 0 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 Wavelength (nm) 20 of 28
Light and Pigments Light is a form of energy, so any compound that absorbs light also absorbs energy from that light. When chlorophyll absorbs light, much of the energy is transferred directly to electrons in the chlorophyll molecule, raising the energy levels of these electrons. These high-energy electrons are what make photosynthesis work. 21 of 28
8-2 Continue to: - or - Click to Launch: 22 of 28
8-2 In van Helmont's experiment, most of the added mass of the tree came from a. soil and carbon dioxide. b. water and carbon dioxide. c. oxygen and carbon dioxide. d. soil and oxygen. 23 of 28
8-2 Plants use the sugars produced in photosynthesis to make a. oxygen. b. starches. c. carbon dioxide. d. protein. 24 of 28
8-2 The raw materials required for plants to carry out photosynthesis are a. carbon dioxide and oxygen. b. oxygen and sugars. c. carbon dioxide and water. d. oxygen and water. 25 of 28
8-2 The principal pigment in plants is a. chloroplast. b. chlorophyll. c. carotene. d. carbohydrate. 26 of 28
8-2 The colors of light that are absorbed by chlorophylls are a. green and yellow. b. green, blue, and violet. c. blue, violet, and red. d. red and yellow. 27 of 28
END OF SECTION